Dual function retainer for a ratcheting wrench

Abstract

A ratcheting wrench includes a handle, a head extending from an end of the handle and having a hole communicated with a compartment in the end of the handle, a drive member rotatably mounted in the hole of the head, and a ratcheting mechanism. The drive member includes an inner periphery for securely holding a fastener-driving member, allowing joint rotation when the drive member is turned. A retainer is mounted around the end of the drive member and has two resilient portions extending into the hole of the drive member via the slots for rotatably holding the drive member in the hole of the head and for securely, releasably holding the fastener-driving member in the hole of the drive member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to a dual function retainer for a ratcheting wrench of the type receiving a fastener-driving member therein for driving a fastener such as a screw, bolt, or nut.2. Description of the Related ArtRatcheting wrenches have been widely used for tightening / loosening fasteners such as screws, bolts, and nuts, and there are a wide variety of types of ratcheting wrenches.FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates a conventional ratcheting wrench 1 of the type including a handle 9 and a head 2 in the form of a box end. A gear wheel 3 is rotatably held in the head 2 and includes a through-hole 4 configured to releasably hold a shank of a screwdriver that has a bit 8 for driving a fastener. A retainer 5 such as a C-clip is provided between the gear wheel 3 and the head 2 for rotatably holding the gear wheel 3 in the head 2. An annular groove 6 is defined in an inner periphery delimiting the through-hole 4, and a retainer ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ratcheting wrench having a drive member that securely receives a fastener-driving member therein and that has a flange allowing a user to quickly turn the drive member together with the fastener-driving member to quickly drive a fastener and allowing the user to finely turn the drive member and the fastener-driving member when desired.

In an embodiment of the invention, the retainer is a substantially U-shaped metal wire and includes an intermediate portion and two resilient legs respectively extending from two ends of the intermediate portion. Each resilient leg has a rectilinear section that partially extends into the hole of the drive member via an associated one of the slots. Further, the retainer includes at least two exposed sections outside the drive member. Preferably, the slots of the drive member are diametrically opposed to each other. Preferably, the drive member further includes a flange formed on an outer periphery of another end thereof. The flange is located outside the head for manual rotation of the drive member. Preferably, the flange has an embossed outer periphery for easy grasp and turning of the drive member. Preferably, the flange abuts against an end face of the head.

The drive member of the ratcheting wrench in accordance with the present invention can be turned quickly such that the time for tightening / loosening a fastener can be significantly reduced. Further, the fastener-driving member is securely retained in place by the retainer, and the fastener-driving member is prevented from disengaging from the drive member by the stop. Further, the retainer provides two functions, one for rotatably holding the drive member in the hole of the head, and the other for securely, releasably holding the fastener-driving member in the hole of the drive member.

Problems solved by technology

However, when tightening the fastener, the user has to repeatedly moving the handle 9 back and forth many times, which is time-consuming and laborious.

Further, formation of the annular groove 6 for receiving the retainer 7 and formation of the annular groove in the inner periphery of the head 2 for receiving the retainer 5 are difficult and thus increase the cost.

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